D.C. will be celebrating the 101st anniversary of the National Cherry Blossom Festival this spring. Check out food, hotel and sightseeing specials in the area. (WTOP/Alex Beall)
Cherry Blossoms and Jefferson Memorial
Cherry Blossoms and Jefferson Memorial Spirit of Washington Cruises
600 Water St. SW, Washington, D.C. 20024
Dates: March 20-April 7
Visitors will gaze at Old Town Alexandria and the National Harbor decorated with cherry blossoms. The three-hour cruise features a DJ and buffet. Lunch cruises run Monday through Friday, noon-2 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Dinner cruises run Monday through Thursday, 7 p.m.-10 p.m., Friday and Saturday, 8 p.m.-11 p.m., and Sunday 6 p.m.-9 p.m. Boarding begins 30 minutes before cruise.
Reservations online .
(Courtesy of Entertainment Cruises)
Courtesy of Entertainment Cruises
Ambar
523 8th St. SE, Washington, D.C. 20003
Dates: March 20-April 14
Specializing in Balkan cuisine, Ambar's chefs prepared a cherry-inspired dish for this year's festival: cherry and valerona chocolate cake made with cherry foam and served with micro basil. Guests can indulge their sweet tooth for $5. Ambar is open Monday through Thursday 11 a.m.-11 p.m., Friday 11 a.m.-midnight, Saturday 10 a.m.-midnight and Sunday 10 a.m.-11 p.m.
Reservations online .
(Courtesy of Ambar)
Courtesy of Ambar
Tel'Veh Cafe & Wine Bar
401 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, D.C. 20001
Dates: March 20-April 14
The Mediterranean wine bar will offer a prix-fixe, three-course menu featuring cherry-inspired items during this year's Cherry Blossom Festival. Dishes will include baked cod wrapped with grape leaves over asparagus and wild mushrooms with mavrodafni and a cherry sauce, yogurt parfait with sour cherries and pecans and chocolate glaze cherry over almond semolina pudding. The meal is $35 per person. Tel'Veh is open 11 a.m.-midnight Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m.-2 a.m. Friday and Saturday.
Reservations online .
(Courtesy of Tel'Veh Cafe & Wine Bar)
Courtesy of Tel'Veh Cafe & Wine Bar
The Angler's Inn
10801 MacArthur Blvd., Potomac, Md. 20854
Dates: March 20-April 14
An establishment that's been here longer than the trees themselves, The Angler's Inn offers guests a modern twist on American cuisine. In celebration of the Cherry Blossom Festival, the chefs will serve their own $28 culinary creation: pan roasted duck breast with pickled cherries, local swiss chard, hedgehog mushrooms, duck confit and pistachio-potato puree. The restaurant is open Monday 4:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m., Tuesday through Thursday 11:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m. and Sunday 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m.
Reservations online .
(Courtesy of The Angler's Inn)
Courtesy of The Angler's Inn
The Willard Hotel
1401 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, D.C. 20004
Dates: March 20-April 14
Cherry blossoms decorate the lobby of the Willard every year during the festival. This year in honor of the pink blooms, the Willard Hotel will offer guests a Very Cherry Blossom package for two. Starting at $409 per night, the special will include valet parking, breakfast and two Old Town Trolley tour tickets in addition to the room.
Reservations online .
(Courtesy of The Willard Hotel)
Courtesy of The Willard Hotel
Park Hyatt Washington
1201 24th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20037
Dates: March 4-April 28
The hotel will offer guests a Spring Cherry Blossom package which will include a stay in the Premier Park Deluxe room, a pot of cherry blossom green tea and breakfast for two at the Blue Duck Tavern. Rates start at $349 per night. The Blue Duck Tavern will also feature a specialty blossom cocktail made with cherry blossom syrup, cherry heering liqueur and vodka, among other ingredients. The restaurant is open 6:30 a.m.-10:30 p.m.
Hotel reservations online or restaurant reservations online .
(Courtesy of Park Hyatt Washington)
Courtesy of Park Hyatt Washington
Legal Sea Foods
704 7th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20001
Dates: March 20-April 14
The Chinatown Legal Sea Foods location will add several new dishes and cocktails to its menu in honor of the Cherry Blossom Festival. These include a red salad with radicchio, crumbled gorgonzola, candied pecans, dried cherries and balsamic vinaigrette, cherry glazed Atlantic salmon with watercress salad and potato gaufrettes, surf-n-turf of grilled hanger steak with cherry demi glaze, crab stuffed potato and haricot verte and cherries jubilee with vanilla ice cream. The cherry blossom cocktail is made with cherry heering, lemon juice and cherry bitters, and topped with cava. The restaurant hours are Monday through Thursday 11 a.m.-11 p.m., Friday and Saturday 11 a.m.-midnight, and Sunday noon-10 p.m.
Reservations online .
(Courtesy of Legal Sea Foods)
Courtesy of Legal Sea Foods
Capital Elite Cherry Blossom Sightseeing Cruises
600 Water St. SW, Washington, D.C. 20024
Dates: March 22-April 7
Guests embark on a 45-minute cruise around East Potomac Park and Haines Point for views of the blossoms. The trip includes a narrated tour and a cash bar. The sightseeing trips run Friday through Sunday and depart at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. Boarding begins 45 minutes prior.
Reservations online .
(Courtesy of Entertainment Cruises)
Courtesy of Entertainment Cruises
Assaggi Mozzarella Bar
4838 Bethesda Ave., Bethesda, Md. 20814
Dates: March 20-April 14
This Italian restaurant will feature special menu items and a cherry cocktail during this year's festival. Dishes will include fresh oysters with frise salad and cherry vinaigrette, poached Atlantic salmon with rainbow cauliflower and cherry tapenade and cherry cheesecake with pineapple salad and salted caramel sauce. The Assaggi Jubilee cocktail is a mix of cherry vodka, triple sec and crushed fresh cherries and topped with Prosecco. Assaggi is open every day 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m.
Reservations online .
(Courtesy of Assaggi Mozzarella Bar)
Courtesy of Assaggi Mozzarella Bar